Nursing with UNC Health Care
UNC Health Care nurses are leaders in quality care, knowledge experts in diverse specialty fields and innovators of visionary solutions to the many challenges professional nurses face today.
Our opportunities for advancement, collaboration with Shared Governance, and recognition of staff accomplishments are all meant to support our nurses in providing complete care for patients and families.
Explore our nursing opportunities and learn how you can lead, teach and care at UNC Health Care.
Career Advancement
Continuing Education
The University is a pioneer in North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) and is the flagship campus for continuing education of healthcare professionals. Our nurses benefit from these teaching and learning opportunities.
Nursing Professional Advancement System
The Nursing Professional Advancement System or Clinical Ladder is a 4-tiered performance-based career advancement system that provides a professional framework for developing, evaluating, promoting and rewarding RNs who are direct caregivers.
UNC Medical Center has four levels of nursing practice for career progression:
Clinical Level I: a novice to advanced beginner level practitioner of nursing
Clinical Level II: a clinically competent nurse who has mastered the technical skills
Clinical Level III: a nurse who has an in-depth knowledge of nursing practice
Clinical Level IV: a nurse who practices at the level of an expert practitioner of nursing
Nursing Leadership Academy
The academy’s purpose is to provide leadership development opportunities to the Division of Nursing. This purpose is accomplished through a number of classes that supports our staff’s development as they move through the Professional Advancement System. The Nursing Leadership Academy is linked to the College of Leadership Excellence within UNC Health Care’s Learning Institute.
Advanced Degrees
The location of The UNC Medical Center on the campus of a top ranked state university offers convenient access to an array of educational opportunities. The UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing, adjacent to the Hospitals, offers BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs. Part-time study for MSN, DNP and PhD programs is available.
UNC Health Care encourages employees to take advantage of these and other educational opportunities in career-related academic study. Several funding sources are available to nursing employees including: the UNC Hospitals' Tuition Assistance Program, a Nurse Scholarship fund, annual Nurse Recognition Awards, and the Griffin-Shull Award.
Shape your Nursing career with Shared Governance
UNC Health Care Nursing is guided by the Shared Governance Model. Through Shared Governance, nurses are empowered to contribute to the decision making that shapes their practice and work environment. Staff are support by five nursing councils and encouraged to become involved themselves. These councils include:
- Diversity Council
- Practice Council
- Quality Council
- Research Council
- Professional Development Council
